Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida A & M University (FAMU) 2007 pharmacy graduates achieved a 100 percent passage rate on the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) exceeding the state and national rate. This group of first-time candidates took the test between May 1, 2007 and August 31, 2007, as reported by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Seventy-three (73) candidates of the Class of 2007 took the NAPLEX during this time and all passed. In addition, FAMU’s school average score of 119.15 exceeded the state and national averages of 118.77 and 116.00 respectively. The state passing rate was 98.22 percent and the national rate was 97.23 compared to FAMU’s 100 percent.

“We are very proud of the students in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “I applaud Dean Lewis and the faculty for doing an outstanding job in preparing our students. This is another example of how we have distinguished ourselves.”

The NAPLEX is developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and is utilized by the boards of pharmacy as part of their assessment of competence to practice pharmacy. The NABP is the independent, international, and impartial association that assists its member boards and jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the purpose of protecting the public health.

“Actions speak louder than words,” said Barbara Barnes, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Students in the College of Pharmacy have proved through their actions that FAMU students are the best and brightest in this region, state and nation.”

“We are extremely proud with the performance of our PharmD graduates on the NAPLEX,” said Lewis, dean of College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “The efforts of our faculty and staff in preparing our students not only for this first measure of competence but for life long learning is embodied in their performance.”